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Spaying at a very young age

First off, I will say that I prefer to wait until they are closer to a year old for spay/neuter (taking into account exceptions due to health issues of course, and each individual dog). I got a new pup last month, she is now 3 months old, but she was spayed extremely young, at just 8 weeks.

I recently lost my beloved Cavalier Bentley to CHF and Cushings on September 19th, I am still upset and heartbroken, Bentley was my whole world and we had a such a close bond, I had never known such a loving and devoted dog. Some wonderful friends got me in touch with someone who had half Cavalier puppies (the other half is Poodle/Yorkie, the puppies were an "oops" litter as a result of Mom getting loose while at someone's house and meeting up with the dog next door, the owner raised all the puppies and found all of them very good homes). I saw Maddie (my new puppy) and it was love. She is such a good girl, catches on so quickly, is very calm and settled in so well it was as if she was born here. But, due to her very early spay, at the tender age of just 8 weeks, I am rather concerned about her growth as a result, and I am wondering also about urinary incontinence, she does piddle quite often. I put puppy pads down for her, I am not worried about messes on my carpet, but I am concerned about incontinence and any other health issues/growth issues as a result of spaying so young. Anyone have any thoughts or information on this?

She is a muffin. I read a bunch of things about very early neutering. Some studies says there were not ill effects, but I am not sure. I do know it is being done this early more and more by shelters or groups/organizations that's main concern is the animal overpopulation. Honestly I kind of agree with it, I know its rather extreme but so the problem of having homeless pets. Personally, I would not spend a lot of time worrying about it. Not like you can really change it now. I think it is something you might want to question your vet about on the chance you need to be on the lookout for things as she continues to get older. Furthermore, I am thinking since she is a mixed breed you are going to have a really hard time guesstimating what her "normal" size/growth as a puppy.

Melissa
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
-Roger Caras

Thanks Melissa. You know, you brought up a really good point... like you say, being a mixed breed, I won't really know what is normal growth for her.
So far she is happy and active, and a sweetie pie. I imagine all will go well, but I was so very concerned about spaying at such a young age. I do understand why shelters/rescues would spay/neuter at a young age.

Back in the mid-1990s, we had a cavalier that was castrated at 9 weeks. It was not our choice. AKC had just recognized the CKCS, and our breeder feared possible abuse of using her puppies for breeding AKC-only litters, for which there were (and still are) no ethical constraints. As best we could determine, the health consequences were (or could have been), a weedier and taller dog (14+ inches) with slightly bad hips. The hips could have been bad anyway, but that was not expected, considering the testing and ratings of the parents' hips.

Hi Renee,
Oh she is just so lovely - i could just pick her up for a snug. What a darling. Im looking forward to seeing pictures of her as she grows up - it will be really interesting to see how she grows and what traits she takes on. On the main point, we did have Teddy done at 24 weeks. It was advised by both the breeder and the vet. In hindsight and after reading more about it, I sort of wish we had waited a little longer, but to be honest I am yet to see any adverse affects of this. He is a good size, he does have longer limbs than Megan had but then again meg was a stocky little soul with cotton bobbins for legs. He also has a bladder control that would rival a human. He can go for hours without wanting to wee, and then all of a sudden he has the urge and there is no stopping him, but he is very good and always asks to go out if we are inside home. But when he was Maddies age he was still going for a wee an awful lot, on the hour, every hour for a while, so it could be just her age or maybe she a little water infection possibly? Only a thought?

Thank you everyone, you've put my mind at ease. She's happy and healthy and running around daily playing with her toys, so I think she will do OK. I was just rather alarmed she was spayed so young. I've heard about weedier and taller dogs as a result of an early spay, it will be interesting to see how Maddie grows and develops, thanks Rod. I'm taking tons of photos. Glad that you mentioned your Teddy taking a wee wee so often like that Lynne. Perhaps it is just due to her young age yet. I'll keep everyone posted, and for sure I'll update with photos.

I forgot to mention that, even though our male was neutered at 9 weeks, for his entire life he consistently lifted his leg on anything perpendicular outside, be it a tall weed or a lamppost or even a freshly delivered newspaper in a neighbor's driveway.

I forgot to mention that, even though our male was neutered at 9 weeks, for his entire life he consistently lifted his leg on anything perpendicular outside, be it a tall weed or a lamppost or even a freshly delivered newspaper in a neighbor's driveway.

He lived to 14 years.

Hahaaaa

Melissa
"If you don't own a dog, at least one, there is not necessarily anything wrong with you, but there may be something wrong with your life."
-Roger Caras

My sister-in-law's half-lab half beagle was spayed at 9 weeks and has had no problems with incontinence. She is now 9 years old. She is big like a lab, but has a beagle face. Maddie is just adorable with her cute little puppy face and paws. I know she won't take Bentley's place in your heart -she'll make her own place, and I bet it will be a big one just looking at her!!!

Too funny Rod, and so nice to hear he lived to be 14, I am hoping my Maddie will live a long healthy life with me.

I still cannot get over the loss of Bentley, I can't even bear it yet... but, Maddie has me wrapped around her little paw already, and last night we played fetch (indoors) and she had me laughing so hard... it felt so good to laugh again.